[Carry_Okie]

There was a long discussion of a different bill on the same topic here. While this bill appears to be better, I don't think adding yet another office will do anything to fix the mess at EPA. Accountability in government is a pipe dream. We need to privatize environmental verification.

[madfly]

This bill would be better yet if you got the job, Carry_Okie!!!

(text of bill)

Strengthening Science at the Environmental Protection Agency Act (Engrossed in House )

107th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 64
AN ACT

To provide for the establishment of the position of Deputy Administrator for Science and Technology of the Environmental Protection Agency, and for other purposes.

HR 64 EH

107th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 64

---

AN ACT
To provide for the establishment of the position of Deputy Administrator for Science and Technology of the Environmental Protection Agency, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Strengthening Science at the Environmental Protection Agency Act'.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

For purposes of this Act--

(1) the term `Administrator' means the Administrator of the Agency;

(2) the term `Agency' means the Environmental Protection Agency;

(3) the term `Deputy' means the Deputy Administrator for Science and Technology appointed under section 4; and

(4) the term `research' means research, development, and demonstration.

SEC. 3. RESEARCH MISSION OF AGENCY.

Conducting, sponsoring, and evaluating environmental science and technology research shall be a central mission of the Agency. The results of such research shall be used to help initiate, formulate, and carry out the Agency's agenda, and the Agency shall seek to increase the public's understanding of environmental science and technology by making those research results available to the public.

SEC. 4. DEPUTY.

(a) APPOINTMENT- The President shall appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, a Deputy Administrator for Science and Technology, who shall coordinate and oversee the science and technology activities of the Agency and ensure that Agency decisions are informed by the results of appropriate and relevant research.

(b) RESPONSIBILITIES- The Deputy shall--

(1) provide advice to the Administrator regarding science and technology issues and their relationship to Agency policies, procedures, and decisions;

(2) participate in developing the Agency's strategic plans and policies and review the science and technology aspects of those plans and policies;

(3) coordinate the acquisition and compilation of relevant science and technology information available from academic sources, government agencies, and the private sector;

(4) develop and oversee guidelines for the dissemination of research results conducted, sponsored, or cited by the Agency to the public, including historically black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, minority communities, and rural communities; and

(5) develop and oversee guidelines for peer review of science and technology research.

(c) QUALIFICATIONS- An individual appointed under subsection (a) shall be a person who has an outstanding science and technology background, including research accomplishments, scientific reputation, and public policy experience.

(d) CONSULTATION- Before appointing an individual under subsection (a), the President shall consult with the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, the Science Advisory Board of the Agency, and other appropriate scientific organizations.

(e) COMPENSATION- The Deputy shall be compensated at the rate provided for level III of the Executive Schedule pursuant to section 5314 of title 5, United States Code.

(f) CONFORMING AMENDMENT- Section 5314 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

`Deputy Administrator for Science and Technology of the Environmental Protection Agency.'.

SEC. 5. ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

(a) TITLE AND TERM- There shall be an Assistant Administrator for Research and Development of the Agency, who shall also have the title of Chief Scientist of the Agency. Appointments to such position made after the date of the enactment of this Act shall be for a term of 5 years unless sooner removed by the President.

(b) QUALIFICATIONS- An individual appointed under subsection (a) shall be a person who has an outstanding science and technology background, including research accomplishments, scientific reputation, and experience in leading a research and development organization.

Passed the House of Representatives April 30, 2002.